Each year, Cades Cove brings in over 2 million visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While some of those are just driving through to enjoy the scenery, some people decide they want to camp while they are here. The campground that is located in Cades Cove offers both tent and RV sites and is open year round. Before you decide to embark on your camping adventure, you will want to make sure you pack everything you might need. Here are 4 of the things to bring when you stay at Cades Cove Campground:
1. Tent and Sleeping Bag
If you decide you want to go tent camping, be sure you do not forget the most important thing, the tent. You would be surprised how many people stress about packing the minor things and run off and leave the most obvious items. Be sure to also bring a sleeping bag in order to give yourself some extra comfort and warmth at night. If you are camping in the fall or winter, you will also want to bring extra blankets because the temperatures in the Smokies can get pretty low in the evening.
2. Appropriate Clothing
Depending on the season you are camping, you will want to bring the right clothes to be comfortable. Even during the summer and spring, it can be a little chilly at night so be sure you bring extra layers just in case. Also, you will want to be prepared for wet weather. When you are planning an outdoor trip you want it to be sunny every day, that is not always going to be the case. For those damp days, you will want to be sure to bring rain gear. These items might include an umbrella, rain jacket, poncho, and water resistant shoes. It is always better to be extra prepared when it comes to clothing because you will not be conveniently close to a store to buy extra clothes.
3. Sporting Gear
Depending on what activities you plan on doing while you are camping, you want to be sure you are equipped with the gear you need. Whether that be your bicycle and helmet, fishing pole, or binoculars for bird watching, you want to prepared. There are a ton of different activities to do near Cades Cove Campground so be sure to look at what there is to do and pack accordingly.
4. Safety Equipment
When you are camping in the mountains, you always want to be sure to bring safety items for emergencies. One of the most important things to bring along is a flashlight. When it gets dark in Cades Cove Campground, there are not many lights around. You will want to make sure you have a flashlight to see both inside and outside your tent. Do not forget to bring extra batteries as well in case the flashlight dies. Something else you might want to pack is a first aid kit. You never know when you might burn yourself on the grill or scrape your knee on a hike. It is always better to be prepared than to freak out when you don’t have something you need.
Now that you know what to bring when you stay at Cades Cove Campground, be sure to check out a map of the area to plan your next visit! We hope to see you soon in the Smoky Mountains!
